Rockets centers: A Hall-of-Fame collection

Share this:

Your vote is being added to the total. Votes are not reflected in the tallies immediately.

Loading ...

Centers of attention

The Rockets are adding Dwight Howard to a franchise with a long history of great centers, who are all scheduled to welcome him on Saturday:

Elvin Hayes

1968-72, 1981-84

A star at the University of Houston, the Big E started with the franchise in San Diego and played one season in Houston before being traded to the Bullets. After winning his one NBA title (1978), he returned to finish career with the Rockets. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Moses Malone

1976-82

Malone won two (1979, 1981) NBA MVP awards and led the Rockets to their first trip to the NBA Finals (1981). Malone later won an NBA title and another MVP in Philadelaphia, but is still the Rockets’ all-time leader in rebounding average (15.0). Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Ralph Sampson

1983-88

Sampson was the first half of Houston’s “twin towers” when the Rockets took him No. 1 overall in 1983. He moved from center to power forward when Hakeem Olajuwon came along the next year. A four-time All-Star, Sampson helped the Rockets to the 1986 Finals and hit one of their biggest shots ever with his jumper to beat the Lakers. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Hakeem Olajuwon

1984-2001

The Dream took the Rockets to the NBA Finals in his second year (1986) and eventually brought Houston its only, two NBA titles in 1994 and 1995. He was the league’s MVP in 1994. Rockets’ all-time leader in total points and rebounds. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Yao Ming

2002-2011

An eight-time All-Star, Yao was the first international player to be drafted No. 1 overall. He was eventually slowed by a series of injuries that forced him to retire early. Ranks sixth all time for Rockets in total points, fifth in total rebounds and second in blocked shots.